BHP Port Kembla D9 class

The D9 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Australian Iron & Steel's, Port Kembla steelworks between 1956 and 1960.

History

In the 1950s Australian Iron & Steel commenced an extensive modernisation and expansion of its Port Kembla steelworks. To operate on the expanded 200 kilometre network, seven shunter locomotives were ordered from English Electric with the first entering service in September 1956. A further six were delivered in 1960. A distinct feature of the locomotives was a large cooling fan at the end of the hood.^[1][2]

A down turn in the early 1980s saw the class withdrawn, with D10 being hired to fellow BHP subsidiary Blue Circle Cement for use at Portland in 1982/83 and Berrima in 1986/87.^[3] In 1989 two were overhauled to replace locomotives on the neighbouring John Lysaght plant.

Six have been preserved:^[4]

• D9 by the Lachlan Valley Railway, Cowra^[5][6]
• D11 by the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum^[7]
• D20, D21, D23 and D24 by the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway^[8][9]
• D25 by the Canberra Railway Museum^[10]

References